Arrival and Departures

Registration is from 9:45 to 10:15am on Saturday, 2nd February 2019

The last training session of the day concludes at 6:15pm. For those who wish and are able to stay, supper is at 6:30pm following which we will sing Compline and accompany Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 7:30pm.

About the day

Dominic Bevan will lead a one-day chant training day in this beautiful venue outside Oxford. The day will include Sung Mass in the Extraordinary Form, and conclude with Compline and Benediction. The fee includes a hot lunch; dinner and overnight stay in the Retreat Centre are optional.

The course will run alongside the Guild of St Clare Sewing Retreat, which runs from Friday to Sunday at the Carmelite Retreat Centre.

Who is it for?

The course won’t assume any technical knowledge, but without excluding beginners it is primarily designed for people who have already sung some chant, particularly those singing regularly in a choir or schola, at whatever Form or Rite. Men and women are welcome.

As well as preparing singers to sing at the ‘live’ liturgies of the day, Matthew will address both singing technique and the interpretation of chant. The 2nd February is the Feast of the Purification of Our Lady (Candlemas), which will add particular interest to the day.

About the venue

Once the home of the poet Robert Bridges, Chilswell House has been a Carmelite Priory for more than half a century. It is seven miles from Oxford, and set in seventeen acres of woodland. It has become established as a regular venue for the ‘Sewing Retreat’ organised by the Guild of St Clare, which is affiliated to the Latin Mass Society.

Please note that there are no ensuite bathrooms available. Since the number of rooms is limited, and some rooms are twins, there is a ‘single room supplement’ to the fee for those who do not wish to share.